Chapter 110: Ding Li's Mother

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Due to the exhaustion from drinking the night before, Yang Hongwen did not get up until dusk. After preparing himself, he left his family residence and was somewhat surprised to unexpectedly encounter Zhang Kuang. However, Zhang Kuang appeared burdened with heavy thoughts. Even when Yang Hongwen greeted him with a polite nod, Zhang Kuang merely responded with a brief nod before hastening away.

Yang Hongwen noticed that Uncle Xiang, who usually followed closely like a shadow, was absent today. Since Yang still had official business to attend to at the Military Governor’s Office, he puzzled over this briefly before quickly mounting his horse and departing.

Inside the study of the Yang Mansion, Yang Ru, who had arranged a meeting with Zhang Kuang, wore a grave expression. Although Zhang Kuang’s handwritten letter had not detailed the matter, Yang Ru already sensed its seriousness.

Without further notice, Zhang Kuang sent a few attendants to wait outside the study, then entered directly and firmly closed the door behind him. The study was dimly lit by the faint glow of a single candle.

“Brother Zhang, you’re here!” Hearing the door close, Yang Ru, standing behind the desk in the side chamber, glanced again at the opened letter on the desk. He then turned and nodded solemnly to Zhang Kuang as he entered the side room. “What is so urgent?” he asked at once.

“A major matter! A matter of utmost importance!” Zhang Kuang, usually calm and composed, now showed clear signs of anxiety on his aged face. His hands fidgeted nervously. At Yang Ru’s indication, Zhang Kuang approached a chair.

Before he could fully sit, Zhang Kuang turned to lower his voice to Yang Ru, who was also seated. “Brother Yang! Do you remember what happened in the twelfth year of the Dazhong era?”

“The twelfth year of Dazhong? That was still during Emperor Xuanzong’s reign, wasn’t it?” Yang Ru was slightly taken aback but murmured in response, “In the twentieth year of Dazhong, I hadn’t yet reached my current position, and even Brother Li had not yet become Military Governor!”

He shook his head, seemingly reflecting on events from two decades ago, then offered a slight smile and quietly added, “But Brother Zhang, at that time you already had a formidable reputation in Guangzhou Prefecture, with Uncle Xiang and Uncle Fu as your trusted aides. Within less than three years, you unified more than half of the sea shipping business in Fuxu Town! And you touched upon all thirty-six trades!”

“That’s not the matter,” Zhang Kuang sighed, his tone devoid of joy despite recalling his past glories. His thoughts were elsewhere. The deeds of former days were only for idle reminiscence. Waving off Yang Ru’s lingering reverie, Zhang Kuang fixed his gaze on his friend’s absent eyes and quietly reminded him, “In the early twelfth year of Dazhong, you, I, and Brother Li had already known each other for several years. At that time, Brother Li’s household had a maid named Ding. Do you remember her?”

“Ding! Of course I remember!” Yang Ru suddenly snapped to attention, looking at Zhang Kuang with surprise. “Brother Zhang, why bring up this now? Though Ding was a rare beauty, her low birth was a barrier. If not for that, knowing Brother Li’s character, she might have been his legitimate wife by now!”

Their memories drifted back twenty years. Li Tiao, Yang Ru, and Zhang Kuang were once known as the “Three Talents” of Guangzhou Prefecture. Even now, when the three met, they occasionally reminisced about old times. Yet, the source of their greatest regret was that among their sons, only Yang Ru’s son Er Yi of Guangzhou Prefecture was promising. Li Tiao’s son, Li You, for reasons unknown, never earned his father’s favor. Were it not for propriety, Yang Ru and Zhang Kuang might have openly voiced this truth.

Twenty years ago, the maid Ding was a servant in Li Tiao’s household, but Li Tiao fell in love with her at first sight. At that time, Li Tiao’s career was on the rise—he was to become a prefectural governor before turning thirty. This success aroused jealousy that turned into opposition.

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Because Li Tiao intended to marry the maid Ding, he faced pressure from all sides. This even threatened his appointment as prefectural governor and could have ended his career. Yet, it was not Li Tiao who abandoned Ding for the sake of his career. Instead, after hearing the news, Ding quietly left one night while Li Tiao was away attending official functions.

“Brother Zhang, after Li successfully took office, he never saw Ding again.” Yang Ru sighed deeply, regret evident in his voice. Zhang Kuang nodded lightly, and both fell silent, lost in their memories.

“But, Brother Zhang, there is something even Brother Li does not know!” Yang Ru’s mood gradually steadied as he regained his composure. He looked directly into Zhang Kuang’s complicated eyes. “What is it?”

Zhang Kuang was momentarily stunned, unable to imagine what Yang Ru, now the chief secretary, could be hiding from his superior, Military Governor Li.

“I must hear your purpose first!” Yang Ru smiled slyly, revealing the cunning of an old fox. He raised his head slightly, urging Zhang Kuang in a low voice, “Since you brought up Ding deliberately, have you received news about her?”

“No... no, yes!” Zhang Kuang shook his head, then nodded quickly, frowning as he thought. Under Yang Ru’s anxious gaze, he sighed deeply before explaining, “This matter still needs verification. But from what I see, it is almost certainly true.”

Yang Ru grew anxious. After all, Ding was once Li’s woman. If they truly met again, he would be glad for Li. He reached out to tap Zhang Kuang’s arm on the table impatiently. “Hurry and tell me! What do you know? Is it true or not?”

“Ding died many years ago,” Zhang Kuang said in a low tone, startling Yang Ru who could hardly believe it. But Zhang Kuang’s next words made Yang Ru feel as if he were dreaming: “But I met Ding’s son! That is, Brother Li’s firstborn!”

“Impossible! How could that be?!” Yang Ru shook his head vehemently, denying it outright. Then he gripped Zhang Kuang’s arm and pressed for details. “Brother Zhang, you’re not joking, are you? Back then, we searched all over Guangzhou Prefecture and surrounding counties. You and I personally handled it!”

“This is indeed unbelievable, but sometimes, things do turn out that way!” Zhang Kuang seemed unable to fully accept it himself, but it was what he had witnessed. He shook his head slightly, patted Yang Ru’s arm to calm him, and then carefully recounted everything he had learned from Ding Li and the investigations of Uncle Xiang and Uncle Fu.

After hearing this, Yang Ru was completely stunned. Though he had never met Ding Li personally, Zhang Kuang’s account convinced him absolutely.

Yet both men shared a puzzling question: Ding’s pregnancy could be explained—she and Li had been intimate before she left—but how could she have, on her own, raised a child and even managed to purchase a maid named Liu Sheng over a decade ago?

Moreover, it appeared she had nurtured Liu Sheng from childhood to become a suitable daughter-in-law. Especially strange was the information that Ding Li’s burned-down home had contained many rare musical instruments—qin, se, guzheng, sheng, xiao, suona—which were not common possessions for an ordinary family. Although Ding Li lived in a poor area, she owned a dilapidated courtyard, which puzzled Zhang Kuang and Yang Ru. Could Ding have some clever means of livelihood? Such accomplishments were rare for a solitary woman of humble origins.

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Zhang Kuang and Yang Ru fell silent. This was beyond their understanding. They could imagine the hardships Ding faced after leaving Li Tiao alone twenty years ago, but could never truly grasp them.

After a long sigh, the faint candlelight casting shadows on their faces, lines of worry deepened, making them look suddenly aged. After a moment’s thought, Zhang Kuang spoke again: “Brother Yang, I summoned you to discuss this because I want your opinion. What should we do next?”

“Difficult! Very difficult!” Yang Ru admitted candidly, shaking his head in indecision. He sighed deeply and analyzed, “Brother Li’s situation now is no better than twenty years ago. The two cunning officials, the Inspector and the Maritime Commissioner, are growing ever closer. Especially Inspector Cao Wei, who clearly covets the Military Governor’s post. Guangzhou Prefecture is uneasy, and the eastern conflict seems poised to spread into our Lingnan Eastern Circuit. At such a critical moment, any unexpected event could trigger further instability.”

Zhang Kuang nodded in agreement. He had considered all this many times, but hearing it from his close friend stung nonetheless. Both agreed: concealment was necessary.

“Is there no better way?” Zhang Kuang hesitated, reluctant to accept this. He looked to Yang Ru and explained in a low voice, “Ding Li is Brother Li’s first son. Should we just keep this secret forever?”

“Brother Zhang, you know the situation as well as I do. Aside from this, what other choice do we have?” Yang Ru smiled bitterly. Seeing Zhang Kuang shake his head, he sighed again. “For now, this is the best way to protect both Brother Li and Ding Li. If this becomes public, not only will Brother Li’s position be threatened, but Ding Li would become the prime target for the Cao and Tian families. Can we guarantee they won’t do something reckless?”

Zhang Kuang wanted to speak, but only sighed deeply and shook his head in resignation.

“All we can do now is hide this matter deeper and reveal it to Brother Li when the time is right,” Yang Ru said thoughtfully, proposing a plan Zhang Kuang had long considered. He looked at Zhang Kuang and added, “Brother Zhang, isn’t Ding Li the head of the Nanhai Gang supported by your Zhang clan’s merchants? Given the current situation, it’s not too bad—at least he’s still under our watchful eyes where we can protect him. I’ll speak with Jing Yi to keep a closer eye on things.”

“That’s the only option! Sigh!” Zhang Kuang nodded, knowing this was the best course for now. Then he turned to Yang Ru and asked, “Brother Yang, can we discuss the militia with Brother Li? Shou Yi has even fled to Fuxu Town over this. Since he refuses, perhaps we should imitate the Inspector and elevate the Nanhai Gang as well. With a militia title, Ding Li’s situation might be much safer for now.”

“Hmm, that’s a good idea! Although reporting it to the court may be difficult, it’s not impossible. The war situation is worsening. Another militia, especially one Brother Li petitions for, shouldn’t be too hard to establish,” Yang Ru agreed. After thinking a moment, he analyzed further, “Brother Li still has decent connections at court. Chancellor Zheng Tian should be able to help with this. It won’t be too hard.”

“Excellent! But how to convince Brother Li depends on your persuasion skills, Brother Yang!” Zhang Kuang nodded gratefully. Yang Ru nodded firmly in return. The two then continued discussing the matter, carefully outlining a preliminary plan for reorganizing the Nanhai Gang into a militia, while also considering the broader political and military situation.